Programmer



United States Patent [72] Inventor Joe Stewart; Jr.

MeLeaneboro, Illinois 62859 [21] Appl. No. 705,096 [22] Filed Feb. 13,1968 [45] Patented Dec. 1, 1970 [54] PROGRAMMER 6 Claims, 2 DrawingFigs.

52 us. cl lav/624.14 [51] ht.Cl. FlSb 21/02 [50] FleldofSeareh 137/102,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,985,589 12/1934 'l'er Meer91/36 2,068,102 1/1937 Gaines....., 3,332,443 7/1967 Mize PrimaryExaminer-Robert G. Nilson Attorney-Warren D. F lackbert ABSTRACT: Aprogrammer characterized by a grouping of independent control unitsoperated in response to fluid pressure to achieve the sequentialprogramming of various mechanical function, and including metering meansfor controlling the time at which a succeeding control unit functionswith respect to a preceding control unit, as well as an arrangement forholding" one or more of the aforesaid mechanical functions.

Patented Dec. 1, 1970 Sheet NN km INVENTOR. J05 Jrswmzf, J/?.

PTTOEMEY Patented Dec. 1, 1970' Sheet INVIINTOR. J05 Srznmkf, J19.

HTTJRNE Y PROGRAMMER As is known, it is desirable to automaticallycontrol the sequence of manufacturing events in the production of anygiven article. Such controlled functions might be, by way of example,the milling, turning, finishing, drilling, cutting, routing, or the likeof a workpiece. Sequential controlling or programing of an article undermass production results in economic advantages, including fasterproduction, less labor requirements and higher utilization of equipment.

The invention provides a versatile programing device operated by fluidpressure means, such as from a commonly known hydraulic system orpressurized air, for example. The programer comprises a series ofassembled independent control units or fluid-sensitive valves, each ofwhich govern a manufacturing cycle, or, at least, the recycling ofprograming action. The control units are each substantially the sameinsofar as internal arrangement is concerned, one unit governing theoperation of the next succeeding unit to accommodate a desiredoperational schedule. The timing required for programing can be readilyadjusted through metering means in each control unit, and the overallstructure may be so arranged as to be continually automatic, i.e.operable without to remain'in a hold condition, through a simplemodification duringthe' assembly procedure. The programer defining theinvention is a precision device; versatile in performance, and readilyadaptable for various functions to be controlled through the use of anynumber of interconnected control units.

A better understanding of the present invention will become moreapparent from the following description, taken in conjunction'with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in side'elevation, partly fragmentary and partly incross section, showing a typical programer in accordance with theinvention, the arrangement of control units being shown side by side forease in understanding; and

.FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the overallunit of FIG. 1, with the topsof each section removed, and being partly diagrammatic, showing theindividual units oriented into an exploded assembled relationship" forreasons of clarity.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in.the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the .same.It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope ofthe invention is thereby intended, such alterations and furthermodifications in the illustrated device, and such further applicationsof the principles of the invention as illustrated therein beingcontemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to whichthe invention relates.

Referring now to the FIGS, and first with respect to FIG. 1 theprogramer defining the invention comprises a series of assembledindividual control units or fluid-sensitive valves 10a, 10b and 10c. Inthat the internal arrangement for each of the aforesaid control units10a, 10b and 100 is the same, except for some additions in the first andlast control units, and for ease in understanding, the same referencenumerals will be used to designate the same components where applicable.

As a matter of further orientation, and as will be more apparent in FIG.2, the control units 10a, 10b and 100 are assembled in a stackedrelationship, i.e. control unit 10a is the first unit,.control unit 10bis the second or middle unit, and control unit 10c is the third or lastunit. Actually, in FIG. 1, the control unit 10b is placed on the controlunit 10a, and the control unit 10c is placed on the control unit 1012,to achieve the plan relationship of FIG. 2. Any number of control unitsmay be interposed between the first control unit 10a and the lastcontrol unit 100, but only one is shown in the drawings for reasons ofclarity.

As will become apparent from the discussion herein, the second throughthe last'control unit each program different manufacturing or otherdesired functions'and the number eniployed depends upon the overallprograming operation. The last control unit or fluid-sensitive valve maybe adapted to terminate a complete operational sequence of all assembledcontrol units, or, in the alternative may serve to automatically cyclethe first control unit to achieve control functioning in the nextsucceeding control units. In the instance of such automatic operation,the first control unit also serves to control a manufacturing function.

In any event, while the internal arrangement of each of the controlunits is the same, the actual assembling, or bolting through apassageway 11, the latter having an internally threaded portion forreceiving a one-way band check valve (not shown) through which the fluidpasses. The passageway 11 communicates with another passageway 12,typically normal therewith, and also having a threaded portion forreceiving a rotatable metering means, such as a common needle valve 14with a needle portion 14a and a control knob l'4b. The passageway 12 hasa restricted portion 12a to effect metering action due to movement ofthe aforesaid needle portion 14a. A cavity 16 is provided into which theaforesaid control knob 14b is adapted to move, where sealing means, suchas an O-ring or gasket 16b, provides a fluid seal, preventing passage offluid through the control knob assembly.

The passageway 12, beyond the restricted portion 12a thereof,communicates with a cavity 17. which receives a check valve 19, the stem19a of which is normally forced into a nonfilling position by reason ofa compression spring 20. The assembly is completed through the use of aconventional gasket or 0-ring 21. The cavity 17 for the check valve 19commentioned one-way check valve connected into passageway- 11, may, inturn, be connected to a hand-controlled fluid valve for semiautomaticoperation of the programer. In other words,

manual action is required to achieve the programing sequence. On theother hand, use of the pivotal lever 27, and associated plunger 27a, isadapted for cycling the automatic operation of the programer thereafterbeing continued through fluid pressure from the last control unit, to bediscussed below.

In any event, the piston 26 includes customary gasket or sealing means260 for blocking unwanted fluid flow from the cavity 24. The piston 26'connects to another piston 36 through a pin member 41, the latter beingmovable within another fluid-carrying cavity or passageway 30, servingas a control cavity. The piston 36 is movable within a cavity 34 whichalso communicates with the aforesaid passageway 30. A

compression spring 37 continually urges the piston 36 into a withan 35around the pin member 4l on the bottom of anenlargedspace 38 below thepiston 26 which initially, with automatic operation, upon use of thepivotal lever 27. An exhaust passageway 42, perhaps three parallelopenings in number, provides part of an exhaust path from the enlargedspace3l to the outside of each unit, when the pistonMisinthepositbnofthedrawings.

A duct or pas ageway 45 is provided to permit communication between thecavity 24 and another cavity 47, the latter receiving a slidabl'e piston49 having a pin member 50 connecting such to another piston 59. Acompression spring 46 continually'urges the piston 49' into a sealingrelationship with a seat 51. 1 r

' A cavity 52 is provided along which the piston 59 is slidable, where abumper is selectively engaged by the piston 59. Piston 59 also hassealing or gasket means 590 associated therewith.

Anoth'er'slidablepiston 69 is provided adjacent piston 59, havingsealing or gasket means 694 associated therewith. A space 56 is definedbetween a portion of piston 59 and piston be discussed-below.

Each of the control units alsoincludes a passageway or duct 87between'an outsidewall' of the unit and the space 56, such beingprovided to release a hold condition, through, typi cally, the diversionof some intake fluid pressure to the control unit. Typically, thepassageway 87 has a fitting (not shown) at 69, while another is definedbetween a portion of piston 69 and a wall of each controlunit; Anotherpassageway or duct 7., together withpassageway or duct 42, forms thecomplete exhaust port, portion 42 of which was mentioned.

above. Openings '0 in opposite side surfaces of each control a m, exceptone surfaceof the last control unit, communicate with space 66, wheresuch openings 80 are in alinement between the respective control'units,so that fluid pressure can be introduced therethrough, to be discussedbelow,

The individual control units are typically connected throughbolts-screwed into threaded openings 75 (only a few of which are shown),andas particularly apparent from FIG. 2, an anpassageway 60a,.in' onecontrol unit, and an angling passageway 01: in another-control unit,combine, through gasket means (not shown)', to define a fluid path fromcavity 3. to the passageway or cayity 12 around the needle valve 14 innext succeeding control unit which connects to a mechanism (not shown)for effecting an operational cycle,

its outside'opening. I v

In use, and after introducing fluid into the first control unit 100, asby a hand operation, with semiautomatic use, fluid enters duct 1 1, thepassageway 12 around theneedle portion 14a of needle valve 14, servingas= an inlet cavity, the restricted portion 12a of passageway 12, andinto a pressured relationship with the check valve '19, the lattermoving against the force of spring 20. The fluid then passes into cavity17,

through duct 22, and into'cavity 24, and from the latter to cavity 47through duct 45.

When cavities 17, 24 and'47 have sufficient pressure to overcome spring37 bearing'against piston 36, the latter moves, as does pin member 41and piston 26, so that the seal ing or gasket member 26b comes intocontact with the seat 35. At this time, and typically through a inchtravel of pin member 41, piston 36 is spaced apart from seat 39,permitting fluid flow from cavity 34 to passageway 30, and the firstoperational phase is completed of a given control unit.

In the event of automatic operation, the preceding use of i the handvalve is omitted, and pivotal lever 27 on the first control unit 100 isactivated, forcing plunger 27a onto piston 26, where, again, piston 36moves through pin member 41. Such action allows fluid in cavity 34 topass therefrom to passageway 30, considering that there is no longer aseated or sealed relationship between piston 36 and seat 39, and thefact- I that the cavity 34 also has fluid pressure thereon,duetocommunication with the main source of fluid supply and the openings40 therebetween.

The fluid from cavity 34 flows along passageway 30 and into passagewaysa and 60b to perform, as mentioned, the function of cycling the nextsucceeding'control unitlObthrough the metering valve 14, and to supplyfluid, through passageway for performing the job operation controlledbyJthe-next typically through a passageway or job port 65.-Job port 65may, if desired, communicate with passageway 60!: or with In otherwords, and as'should become apparent, thepreceding control unit drivesthe'next succeeding control unit to perform the prograrned job, exceptthe last control unit, when in nonautomatie operation. On the otherhand, an angling pamageway 63a, in one control unit, and an anglingpalageway 63b, in an adjacent control unit, together with gasket means(not shown), permit fluid passage from passageway 30 in one control unitto the space 56 in the ticular sequence of the programing afluid-blocking disk 61 may be inserted in passageway 630-631;,preventing fluid flow and, therefore, the exhaust. necessary for furtheroperation of the p control unit, ,holding" such working function, all tobe discussed below.

With referenceto the last control unit 10c, 'a duct or control unit to asucceeding control unit 10b. It might be noted that if needle valve 14in the next succeeding control unit ltlbsis closed, the cycle will stopat this time, until such valve 14 is released.

In the event the needle valve 14 in-the next succeeding control unit isopen, fluid flows into cavities 17', 24 and 47 in such next controlunit, as in the first control unit 104. The aforesaid operation betweensuccessive control units is always the same,

i.e. pistons 26 and 36 move when sufficient pressure exists in cavities17, 24 and 47, and fluid passes from cavity 34,

passageways 30 and 600 into passageway 60b in the next succeedingcontrol unit, and then through 'the needle valve 14 for furtherprograming. Again, passage of fluid through port 65 performs thecontrolled job. The next succeeding control unit may be the final unit,as shown in the drawing, or may be one of many other intermediatecontrol units.

Referring now to the remaining fluid flow from cavity or passageway 30,such will flow, through passageway 63a-63b,

back to space 56, serving as an exhaust cavity, in the precedthroughexhaustduct 70. Piston 26 also moves, by reason of the aforesaid releaseof pressure, from itsseated relationship 1 by gasket 26b with gasket35', permitting any remaining fluid in cavity 30 to exhaust throughducts 42 and 70.

passageway is provided between passageway 30 and space 56, and duringautomatic operation such isblocked by a plug (not shown). In order toeffect exhaust action for the last con-' trol unitduring nonautomaticoperation," the passageway 85 is In the event a disk 61*is installed inthe duct or passageway 63a-63i-fluid will not flow from the passageway30 to the,

next preceding control unit, meaning that cavities l7,- 24'and 47 willnot exhaust in such control unit, in the manner discussed above, butwill remain in a hold" position. Such a result is an important factorprovided by the invention, in that In order to release a hold condition,passageway or duct 87 is employed. More specifically, and by way ofexample, some of the fluid pressure which would ordinarily be introducedinto duct or passageway 11 can be diverted into passageway or duct 87,causing a shot" of fluid pressure into the space 56. When the latteroccurs, normal exhaust procedure is initiated, i.e. pistons 59 and 69move in opposite directions, and piston 49 moves against the spring 46,causing a passageway to the exhaust duct 70 and, thereby, exhaustingcavitiesl7, 24 and 47. Again, as before, with the exhausting of cavity24, piston 26 moves to the position of FIG. 1, permitting the exhaustingof cavity 30 through the exhaustpath defined by passageway 42 and 70. Itmight be noted that with the use of an hydraulic fluid, exhaust isachieved into a reservoir (not shown), while, by way of further example,when pressurized air is used, exhaust may be into the atmosphere.

As a matter of restatement, automatic operation is simply achievedthrough use of pivotal lever 27 and associated plunger 270, the lattermoving the pin member 41 and permitting the already existing fluidpressure (from the outside supply) in the cavity 34 to flow intopassageway 30, which serves as a control cavity, and to preform the jobfunction in the 'next succeeding control unit and the exhaust functionin the next preceding control unit. The last control unit 100 performsas any interconnected control unit would perform, i.e. serves toinitiate the job controlled by the next succeeding control unit (thefirst control unit in this instance), as well as to perform an exhaustfunction in the next preceding control unit 10b. In other words, aconduit or the like (shown by broken lines in FIG. 2) introduces fluidpressure from control unit 10c into the passageway 11 in the controlunit 10a. As usual, the last control unit also controls a job functionthrough initiation from control unit 10b. It must be remembered thatwith automatic as well as semiautomatic operation, the needle valve 14plays an important part insofar as the timing function is concerned.

As to semiautomatic operation, i.e. the systematic operation of eachcontrol unit until the last control unit 10c is reached, the sequence isterminated in that such last control unit 10c does not recycleprograming. While the last control unit 100 does perform an exhaustfunction for the next preceding control unit, an arrangement is providedfor permitting the exhausting of the last control unit 100, i.e. theduct or passageway 85 which communicates between-passageway and space56. In this connection, a plug (not shown) is normally in duct 85 duringautomatic operation; however, such plug is opened, to the extentdesired, during semiautomatic operation to permit bleeding" 'of fluidpressure from passageway 30 to space 56 and, therefore, the ultimateexhausting of control unit 10c through the discussed exhaust procedure.The rapid exhausting of control unit 100 is probably not desired in thatsuch could interfere with the job function of 100, and for this reason ableeding effect is more.

wanted. 7

With reference to the openings 80 in all of the control units, such areprovided to permit a single communication path between the control unitsand, under an emergency situation, a shot" of fluid through suchopenings 80 causes pistons 69, 59 and 47 to move upwardly, achieving anexhaust condition through the exhaust arrangement described above. Inother words, the introduction of the emergency air releases the seal inall control units, and, thereby, achieves an emergency stop.

The invention provides an important programer for any desired sequenceof operations. In that the programer is defined by a series ofindividual interconnected control units, any number of control functionscan be effectively coordinated in a minimum of time, considering thesimilarity of each of the control units. lmportantly, the programer ofthe invention further permits a holding feature in one or more controlunits and, thereby, affords varied end control results,

As should be evident, the aforesaid hold is readily and simply achievedduring the assembly of the control units mak ing the programer.Additionally, the invention is such that automatic or semiautomaticoperation is readily achieved and,

additionally, for safety reasons, or otherwise, an' emergency controlunit interconnecting said first control unit interconnecting said firstcontrol unit and next preceding said first con- 'trol unit, a thirdcontrol unit interconnecting said first control unit and nextsucceedingsaid first control unit, and a source of pressurized fluid communicatingwith each of said control units; said first, said second and said thirdcontrol units, each comprising a control cavity, an exhaust cavity, andan inlet cavity, a passageway communicating between said control cavityof said first control unit and said inlet cavity of said third controlunit; a passagewaycommunicating between said control cavity of saidfirst control unit and said exhaust cavity of said second control unit;a passageway communicating between said control cavity of said secondcontrol unit and said inlet cavity, of said first control unit;apassageway communicating between said control cavity of said thirdcontrol unit and said exhaust cavity of said first control unit; and ajob control port in at least said first control unit, and communicatingwith said inlet cavity of said first control unit, Where said first,said second and said third control units are each operatively responsiveto passage of said pressurized fluid therebetween from said source, andwhere a holding means selectively interrupts fluid flow from one controlunit to the next preceding control unit to maintain said next precedingcontrol unit at a given operative condition.

2. The programer of claim 1 where said source of pressurized fluidcornmunicateswith another cavity in each control unit having a slidablepiston, and where the force of pressurized fluid from said inlet cavityin each control unit selectively moves each piston and releases thepressurized fluid from said another cavityinto said control cavity. 7

3. The programer of claim 1 where still another cavity is provided ineach control unit having a slidable piston normally in a sealedrelationship with respect to .an outlet duct, and

preceding said first control unit,'a third control unit i nterconnecting said first control unit and next succeeding siad first controlunit, and a source of pressurized fluid communicating with each of saidcontrol units; said first, said second and said third control units,each comprising a control cavity, an exhaust cavity and an inlet cavity;a passageway communicating between said control cavity of said firstcontrolunitand said inlet cavity of said third control unit; apassageway communicating between said control cavity of said firstcontrol unit and said exhaust cavity of said second control unit; apassageway communicating between said control cavity of said secondcontrol unit and said inlet cavity of said first control unit; apassageway communicating between said control cavity of said thirdcontrol unit and said exhaust cavity of said first control unit; and ajob control port in at least said first control unit, and communicatingwith said inlet'cavity 12, etc. of said first control unit where saidfirst, said second and said not as limit- I control unit interconnectingsaid first control unit and next preceding said first control unit, athird control unit interconnecting said first control unit and nextsucceeding said first control unit, and a source of pressurized fluidcommunicating with each of said control units, said first, said secondand said third control units, each comprising a control cavity, anexhaust cavity and an inlet cavity; a passageway communicating betweensaid control cavity of said first control unit and said inlet cavity ofsaid third control unit; a passageway communicating between said controlcavity of said first control unit and said exhaust cavity of said secondcontrol unit; a passageway communicating between said control cavity ofsaid second control unit and said inlet cavity of said first controlunit; a passageway communicating between said control cavity of saidthird control unit and said exhaust cavity of said first control unit;and a job control port in at least said first control unit, andcommunicating with said inlet cavity of said first control unit, wheresaid first, said second and said third control units are eachoperatively responsive to passage of said pressurized fluid therebetweenfrom said source, and where a selectively operable exhaust means isprovided between saidtcontrol cavity and said exhaust cavity in saidthird control unit.

